"Baby and Kids Quilts" by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter : Lyn Fry

Fons and Porter are “legends in the world of quilting” but this book was my first introduction to their work. It is a beautifully photographed work full of charming projects for a range of abilities. The book is a new addition to the London Quilters Library and supplements the small section of quilts for babies and children.

I first made “Happy Flowers” - a sunny, cheerful baby quilt described as “easy”. I would agree. It went together with no trouble using the detailed instructions. A great project for a beginner or a quilter who would like to put a baby quilt together quickly using scraps.

I then went on to “Teagues Turtles” – a foundation pieced project described as “intermediate”. I have had some experience of paper piecing using freezer paper but I found this challenging. There is a clear design for making the turtles but I had problems with it. The placement given didn’t work (although it was easily modified) and I then had two pieces which when cut turned out to be upside down. There are instructions in the book for how to paper piece but there are better instructions elsewhere on the web. ​The issues with “Teagues Turtles” aside, this is a lovely book, full of fun designs which will delight the recipients.

​​“Baby and Kids Quilts” by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter. Published by Leisure Arts 2011.

Lyn Fry ​January 2018

"Create Your Own Free-form Quilts" by Rayna Gillman : Marlene Cohen​

A stress-free journey to original design.

This is a book that encourages the reader to try a different approach to quilt making. The author, Rayna Gillman, has her own unique way of creating “free-form” quilts . She teaches this method to classes all over the world.

The book offers a rich resource to help you jump-start this new direction. The reader is gently led through simple steps such as “sorting your fabrics – commercial or hand-dyed and printed”, or “colour and shade” and novel suggestions are made such as “mood or motif” or “mixing it up”. In fact almost anything goes with a little control and management. This book is not simply about design. It is about making original work and proving that this is within the reach of everyone. Most importantly Rayna’s book shows that individuality can be fun as well as easy.

It all starts with a “strip.” Choose your own length, your own width, your own style of fabric. Everything will work and most excitedly, you are in control. Then add another and maybe a third. Maybe add one in another direction. Then cut it in half.....and you’ve started the journey.

You are encouraged to abandon the rules. You can dump the ruler and also forget everything you learned about colour, technique, bindings, straight edges etc. Just let go. Hold Rayna’s hand and she will point you on the way to this different direction. You will not need to buy anything. Everything you need you will find in your workspace. Most importantly you will be able to use your unfinished blocks, scraps and all those fabrics that you thought were mistakes. Nothing need ever go to waste again. All those UFO’s can be re-created but this time into something you like.Chapters with headings like “Slice, Dice and Design “, “Add, Subtract and Divide” offer easy solutions that result in energetic and unique possibilities. No two readers will create the same work.

It doesn’t take long before you are actually making your own creations based on Rayna’ s individual approach and quirky ideas.

​The illustrations are excellent. Rayna and her students demonstrate just how versatile the results of working this way can be. There are masses of colour and individuality. The rhythm of many of the pieces makes you want to tap your feet – or better still, get sewing as our member Sabi Westoby did, using Rayna's techniques

I challenge anyone to turn the pages of this book and not be inspired. The only danger I see is that you might become addicted. More examples of Rayna's work can be seen on her website at www.studio78.net​And to give Rayna the last word - “there is no such thing as a mistake”.

Marlene CohenMay 2016

​All images copyright of each makerWebsite designed by Sabi Westoby 2015